Top 3 things to bring with you when you move to the UK

Some of our international students share their top 3 things to bring with you when you move to the UK.

Mi Chelle, 1st Year English student, Malaysia

1. Clothes for every season: Bring winter coats and also coats that are less thick, for when the weather is warmer. Bring different kinds of shoes, like shoes for formal events and also boots for when it rains and gets muddy. While the UK is a chilly country, you should also bring short-sleeved shirts and thinner clothes for summer time. As you won’t want to wear a thick jumper when it’s hot outside.
2. Things that remind you of home: This can be anything from your favourite posters, figurines and stuffed toys to photos of family and friends. You can use these to personalize your university room and to make you feel less homesick.
3. Food from home that you can’t find in the UK: Especially things like spices.

Yara, 3rd Year Law student, Jordan

1. A reminder of home: I would say that the most important thing to have with you is a reminder of home! You may get homesick and you’ll want to have something that reminds you of home. For example, a teddy bear, pictures, your favourite sweater etc…
2. Black coffee: Black coffee in my home country is VERY different to black coffee in the UK. So for me, as weird as this sounds, something that I felt was important to bring was black coffee! This might relate to the first point, in that it reminds me of home whenever I have it. But at the same time, the reason I brought some coffee with me was because I knew that I wouldn’t find the same coffee in the UK (York). So bring something that you’re likely to want to have (could be spices, little snacks) that won’t find in the UK!
3. Laptop:This might seem like an obvious one, but this really helped me a lot – bring a laptop with you! If you’re planning on buying a laptop once you get to the UK, I would suggest that you don’t do that as you won’t be familiar with the procedures here. For me, it was just easier to get a laptop before I got to university, so I arrived fully equipped. And I didn’t have to spend too much time stressing over this issue!

Yuqiao, 3rd Year Politics with International Relations student, China

1. A laptop: Laptops are essentials for going to university because most of your work and assignments will be submitted online.
2. Winter clothes: Winter could be a bit long in the UK. It gets colder when you’re in the North so it’s always a good idea to be prepared for winter.
3. Something meaningful from home: Bring something meaningful that reminds you of home. Maybe a couple of photos on your friends will put you in a better mood every day waking up.

Saranporn, MA Applied Linguistics in English Language Teaching, Thailand

1. Laptop: (There are computers available to use on campus; however, it is very recommended that you have a laptop if you are a masters student since there are a lot of reading and working on your own.)
2. Electrical adapters: Make sure you prepare enough electrical adapters.
3. Personal products: Personal belongings such as sanitary products or skincare products (Some personal belongings are available here in UK, but if you have particular preferences, you should prepare them from your home country.)

Dilys, LLM International Corporate and Commercial Law, Ghana

1. Important documents: It is essential to bring along important documents such as transcripts of previous years of study, results from any test undertaken in relation to applying for a visa (international students), printed copies of the offer letter from the university and academic or non -academic certificates (if any). Requests to present evidence like this may come up at any time. Such as at student registration, when searching for jobs or when getting your identity cards. Yes, it may be a lot to think about, but in this modern world filled with technology, it is safe to have a backup hard copy of certain documents. Especially when you are far from home.
   Tip: make a list of these documents and placed them in an identifiable file folder and accessible location. (hand luggage or storage drawer upon arrival)
2. Clothing: Be extremely prepared for the weather in terms of clothing. Do not be in a haste to overload your suitcases but do not leave out certain clothing like jeans/trousers, warm blouses, jumpers and coats. Or professional clothing for interviews and conferences etc. These essentials will do a good job of keeping you warm until you finally settle in UK/York. Pick out which brands or stores best match your style.
3. Gadgets: Hurray! From cameras to tripod stands, extension boards, Bluetooth speakers, storage devices etc, don’t leave them at home. York is such a beautiful city that at any point in time, you may need to capture sceneries or events. You may also need to interview people (such as an academic), create a vlog or invite people over for a get together (music sets the atmosphere). You can also bring electronic devices that would make your stay in York very fun.

Maria, MA Post War Recovery Studies, Colombia

1. Awesome outfits: Pack some awesome outfits for your fresher’s week (take into account the weather at that time!)
2. Earplugs: Pack some earplugs (so you will be able to sleep whenever you want, without care if your housemates are being loud!)
3. Something from home: Bring something for decorating your room that you really love back at home! (I brought two of my favourite posters).
4. One more thing:Remember that if you came from very far is likely that when you arrive to York you have been travelling for at least 19 hours or more so you will need a shower. I know that towels can be heavy but try to bring at least one small and some shampoo and soap because you will need it! Also if you don’t think you will have time for proper shopping the first day, bring at least one small blanket… otherwise, you could end like some of my housemates that slept the first night covered with their clothes!

Srish, 3rd Year English student, India

1. Pictures: Bring pictures of your family, friends and dog! You can put them up on a pin board and it makes a standard uni room just a bit more personal and like home.
2. Favourite food: I made sure that, when I moved, I brought my favourite snacks with me. Because I knew I wouldn’t be able to get my hands on them in the U.K.
3. Universal charger:Bring a universal charger for all your electronic devices that you might be bringing from your home country.

Gracia, PhD Politics, Indonesia

1. Cooking ingredients from your country: Specific ingredients for cooking that we cannot find in the UK (especially from home country).
2. Home comforts: Some comfort personal stuff that you always bring along and keep, for example, small pillows for sleeping or drinking bottle.
3. National costume: National costume if there are some cultural events that you can attend and you might want to promote your home country through a performance.

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• Things you don’t need to bring with you when you move to the UK
• Top tips for travelling to the UK (and York)
• What to expect when you arrive in the UK (and York)
• Making friends in York